Some research seeks answers. Some research changes lives. At the University of the Free State (UFS), a new generation of flagship research themes aims to do both. The appointment of the university's first research theme leader marks an important step towards research that addresses complex challenges, guides policy, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more just and sustainable future.
Leading the research theme:
Flourishing Life is
Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller, an internationally recognised scholar, advocate, researcher, and leader whose career has been dedicated to democracy, governance, human rights, social justice, and human development.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for the University, as it strengthens its position as a research-led institution committed to contributing meaningfully to responsible societal futures. Through these flagship themes (Planetary Health and Well-being, Sustainable Futures, Systems for Societal Development, and Flourishing Life), the University aims to generate knowledge that responds to complex challenges while creating measurable impact in communities, policy environments, and society at large.
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, says “Welcoming Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller to lead our
Flourishing Life theme marks a pivotal step in advancing research that not only generates knowledge, but also meaningfully transforms society. At the UFS, we are deepening our commitment to research that is interdisciplinary, impactful, and rooted in justice, dignity, and human development. The idea of ‘flourishing’ as a dynamic, relational process resonates strongly with our mission to build responsible societal futures through knowledge that serves humanity.”
Prof Bohler-Muller brings a wealth of experience to the role. Having officially joined the UFS on 1 June 2026, she now leads the Flourishing Life research theme after serving as Divisional Executive of the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State division at the
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). She has represented South Africa on major international platforms, including Women20, BRICS, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the G20.
With more than 25 years of experience in academia and research, her work spans constitutional and international law, gender studies, democracy, governance, social justice, and human rights. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 publications, supervised postgraduate students to completion, presented at conferences around the world, and advised government on matters ranging from health policy to democratic governance.
Her connection with the UFS precedes this appointment. Before joining the University, she served as a Research Associate in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, having already been part of the University's research community.
As Research Theme Leader, Prof Bohler-Muller will guide interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research that explores human dignity, identity, justice, democracy, culture, and well-being. The theme aligns closely with national priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063, and the University's commitment to societal impact.
What flourishing means
Central to her vision is a rethinking of what flourishing means. "Flourishing is not a state to be achieved. It is a movement. A becoming. Unfolding through relation."
Drawing on ubuntu philosophy, feminist thought, post-human perspectives, and ecological approaches, she believes that flourishing should be understood as a continuing process rather than a destination. "The self emerges. Becoming is relational, never finished," she notes.
This approach positions the theme as a uniquely African contribution to global conversations about well-being, development, and social progress.
Prof Bohler-Muller believes the University is well placed to lead this work. "The UFS has significant strengths through its ubuntu tradition, its interdisciplinary research culture, its commitment to societal impact under Vision 130, its research fellow pipeline, and its strong ties with communities across the Free State."
Her plans for the next five years include building strong cross-disciplinary research collaborations, attracting substantial external funding, strengthening postgraduate participation, and producing research with measurable impact. Among the goals are the establishment of inter-faculty research clusters, the integration of master's and doctoral students into theme-linked programmes, and the development of research outputs that influence both scholarship and public policy.
Building a thriving research community forms a key part of her strategy. Senior researchers, emerging scholars, and postgraduate students all have an important place within the theme. "We need to engage senior researchers, empower emerging scholars, and support postgraduate students through mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities for growth."
Looking further ahead, she sees the University emerging as a global leader in this field. "The University should be recognised as Africa's premier ‘flourishing life’ research institution and among the top global centres in this field." She also envisages the creation of an African Flourishing Index that offers new ways of understanding societal progress beyond conventional economic indicators.
Flourishing with others
Her first 90 days in the role will focus on consultation, collaboration, and implementation. Plans include engaging stakeholders across the University, convening a Flourishing Life symposium, establishing research clusters, and pursuing funding opportunities.
Equally important is the culture she hopes to establish.
"Ubuntu as an organising ethic means collective success, shared credit, and relational leadership guide the culture of the theme."
She also emphasises the importance of epistemic diversity, ensuring that African, Global South, and feminist methodologies stand alongside established Western frameworks.
For Prof Bohler-Muller, the theme ultimately reflects a simple but powerful truth. "Umuntungumuntu ngabantu." "A person flourishes with others. So does a university."
As the University of the Free State continues to renew and reimagine its future towards 2034, the appointment of its first research theme leaders signals a commitment to research that matters. Through Flourishing Life, the University is creating space for new ideas, stronger partnerships, and knowledge that helps to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for society.
According to Prof Reddy, “Our flagship research theme positions the UFS as a leader in tackling complex global and local challenges – from sustainability to social justice – through collaborative scholarship. Grounded in ubuntu, flourishing life research is co-created across fields and communities to enable shared well-being. Flourishing is therefore not an endpoint, but a process shaped through cross-disciplinary knowledge and collective engagement.”